The future of data might be the cloud, but cloud tech has to physically be somewhere and Philly is pushing for a big share of that market. That's why we're excited to host the 3rd Annual Bisnow Greater Philadelphia Data Center Boom event on April 22 beginning at 8am at The Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia.

Real Property Solutions LLC president John Smyth, who will be a speaker, tells us that a number of factors are driving demand for data centers, such as mobile devices allowing for perpetual connectivity; app services providing instant access for social media, content and gaming; and cloud technologies offering storage, shared files and web-based software platforms. Also, there's a movement of data to co-location facilities to ensure reliability, and an increasing emphasis on disaster recovery and mission-critical storage facilities.

Developers are employing various new strategies and tech to meet the demand crush, John adds. "We review every aspect of an existing physical plant to make sure it's reliable," he explains. "You can turn off the water to a tenant, but never their connectivity! We're also always updating our as-built drawings, operating systems and critical records." John is also the asset manager for 1309 Noble in Philadelphia (pictured), a mission-critical network and data facility.

John adds that battery testing and monitoring have become a key element to mission-critical planning, and that Real Property Solutions is testing critical electrical systems more now than before. Recently it conducted a Power System Study that included short-circuit analysis, and protective device coordination and arc flash hazard analysis using a licensed PE. Join us for our 3rd Annual Bisnow Greater Philadelphia Data Center Boom April 22 at The Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia. (Sign up here.)